‘Japanese cast-offs’ is what they are still called, the former Indonesian comfort women. During the second World War they were forced to carry out sexual activities in military brothels, encampments or Japanese barracks. In Because We Were Beautiful a number of women tell their story. About the systematic rapes, the humiliations, the fear and how this influenced their lives. A documentary full of shame, sorrow and reluctantly told life stories.

Director: Frank van OschInterviews: Hilde JanssenPhotography: Jan Banning
Two books were published about this subject: